2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 BMW 5 Series MOT pass rate and common faults

11,630 MOT tests in 2024. 73.0% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

118Well above average
Passed first time73.0%
Failed or needed repairs27.0%
Typical mileage at test130,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 11,630 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.0%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.7%
  3. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.0%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    531 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.3%
    368 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.5%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    239 marked dangerous
  8. Side repeaters: not working1.3%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  10. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.0%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics15.3%
  2. Suspension10.9%
  3. Tyres7.9%
  4. Brakes3.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.2%
  7. Wheels1.5%
  8. Steering1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.2%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.5%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.1%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2010 5 SeriesAll 5 Series years2012 5 Series →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2011 BMW 5 Series?

In 2024, 73.0% of 2011 BMW 5 Series cars passed their MOT first time, across 11,630 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 BMW 5 Series?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 BMW 5 Series reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 118, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).